News
Thailand news, politics, business, crime, lifestyle, and tourism—stay updated with breaking news and in-depth analysis from Bangkok, Chiang Mai, Pattaya, and beyond. The Thaiger delivers the latest national news that matters.
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Sponsored 5 ways retirees in Thailand lose money (and how to stop it)
Retiring in Thailand can be affordable and enjoyable, but many retirees lose money due to common mistakes. High living costs, scams, and unexpected expenses can quickly drain savings. There are five ways that retirees in Thailand can lose money and...
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Glimmer of hope as phone light found in Bangkok quake rubble
Phetkasem Foundation rescue team is hoping for a miracle after spotting what could be a survivor’s mobile phone light blinking deep beneath the rubble of the collapsed State Audit Office building, two weeks after the deadly earthquake hit Thailand’s capital Bangkok. Rescuers from the Phetkasem Foundation reported a potential breakthrough in the search for survivors after detecting what they believe…
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Thailand Video News | Building collapse death toll, Burger King fire, Lewd Pattaya shoot
In today’s roundup for Friday, April 11, we’re tracking the biggest headlines making waves across Thailand and Southeast Asia. A fire in Phuket damaged a Burger King and several motorbikes, while tragedy strikes in Bangkok as the death toll from a building collapse continues to rise. In Pattaya, a Chinese couple’s explicit photo shoot sparks public outrage and legal consequences.…
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Ayutthaya buffalo trader’s home attacked with grenades, no injuries
A buffalo trader in Ayutthaya was left in shock after unidentified persons threw grenades at his home, causing significant damage. The incident occurred in the early hours of Wednesday, April 9, in Phra Ya Ban Lue subdistrict, Lat Bua Luang district, Phra Nakhon Si Ayutthaya province. The attack resulted in three damaged vehicles and frightened livestock, though fortunately, no one…
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New Zealand man caught smuggling cocaine to Phuket in passport
Police arrested a New Zealand man at Phuket International Airport for smuggling cocaine into the country by concealing it inside a passport. Officers at the international arrivals terminal of Phuket Airport yesterday, April 10, discovered a packet of cocaine in the possession of the 24 year old New Zealander, whose identity was not disclosed in the report. According to a…
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Byte-sized bounce: Thai digital sector plugs back into confidence
Thailand’s digital sector has shown signs of life, climbing out of the red and back into confidence territory this year, thanks to artificial intelligence (AI) hype, economic boosters, and a softer policy rate. But insiders warn the rebound could short-circuit if skills shortages and wage hikes aren’t tackled fast. The Digital Economy Promotion Agency (DEPA) revealed that its Digital Industry…
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Pheu Thai pushes bill to repeal 23 NCPO orders
Pheu Thai Party list member of Parliament Chaturon Chaisang advocates for a bill to revoke 23 orders issued by the disbanded National Council for Peace and Order (NCPO). This proposed legislation is set to be introduced in the forthcoming Parliamentary session. As the chairperson of the Parliamentary committee responsible for reviewing outdated NCPO directives, Chaturon provided an update on the…
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IMF urges Thailand to give baht-up households a helping hand
The International Monetary Fund (IMF) has warned Thailand to boost protections for struggling families or risk keeping millions trapped in a cycle of crushing debt, much of it borrowed just to put food on the table. In a hard-hitting Country Focus report released on April 9, the global financial watchdog highlighted that more than half of Thai workers lack formal…
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Cop killer on the run: Drug suspect flees after deadly shootout
Police are searching for a drug suspect who fatally shot a police officer during an attempted arrest at a rubber plantation in the northeastern province of Loei yesterday. Police Sub-Lieutenant Pairoj Prom-in, along with the drug suppression unit of Mueang Loei Police Station, swooped on the plantation in the Kokdu subdistrict, Mueang district, Loei, at around 12pm yesterday, April 10,…
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Bangkok State Audit Office to be rebuilt but not on the deadly ruins
The Deputy Auditor General has confirmed plans to push ahead with building a new State Audit Office but it will be moved away from the exact spot where tragedy struck when an unfinished government complex came crashing down during a powerful earthquake last month, killing 23 workers and trapping dozens more beneath the rubble. The Auditor General’s Office, still under…
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Who’s a cheeky monkey? Phuket cops go ape over missing orangutan
Police raided the home of a Chinese woman in Phuket after a neighbour spotted an orangutan inside the property last week. However, no monkey was found during the search. The Phuket Info Centre news page reported the raid on the Chinese woman’s residence on Wednesday, April 9. The house is located in Supalai Lake Village on Thep Kasattri Road, in…
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Thailand braces for summer storms during Songkran festival
The Ministry of Higher Education, Science, Research and Innovation (MHESI) has warned about summer storms during the Songkran festival. Thunderstorms, strong winds, and potential hail are expected, especially in the upper northeastern and northern regions. From April 10 to 12, increased rainfall is anticipated in the South. Yesterday, April 10, Suchada Sang Thaensap, the secretary to the Minister of the…
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Thailand urged to address rising zero-dollar exports from China
Thailand’s economy is being short-changed by a flood of so-called “zero-dollar” investments and exports from China, with experts warning the government must clamp down, or risk a new wave of growth that benefits everyone but the Thais. Amonthep Chawla, chief economist at CIMB Thai Bank’s Economic Centre, said America’s latest tariff moves, both those aimed broadly and those specifically targeting…
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Gambling legality in Thailand
Thailand’s tourism industry has been going through a bit of a renaissance, with visitors flocking from all over Europe, America, and Asia. Many come to experience the authentic Thai culture, see the incredible sights, and learn something more about the country’s fascinating history. Many of the visitors, however, are gambling fans, who’d like to play a hand or two. But,…
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Chiang Mai aims for fingernail dance world record
In celebration of tradition and unity, Chiang Mai is preparing to break a Guinness World Record next Friday, April 19, with over 20,000 traditional fingernail dancers performing together at the historic Three Kings Monument. The event marks the ancient northern city’s 729th anniversary and promises to be one of the most spectacular cultural displays ever staged in Thailand. Organisers say…
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Phuket police probe Aussie man’s apparent suicide
Just days after a previous suicide scare, a 62 year old Australian man was found dead in a Phuket home. His tragic end sparking renewed concerns about mental health support for expats. The Aussie, from Darlinghurst, Sydney, was found dead in an apparent suicide at a house in Village 2, Rawai, on the afternoon of April 9. Chalong Police were…
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23 dead, 71 missing in Bangkok high-rise collapse
A heartbreaking vigil continues in Bangkok, where the father of a 17 year old girl has stood outside a collapsed high-rise for nearly two weeks — still hoping for a miracle. The death toll from the catastrophic collapse of a 30-storey building in Bangkok’s Chatuchak district has climbed to 23, with 71 people still unaccounted for, the Bangkok Metropolitan Administration…
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Thai youths warned over racy Songkran selfies and booze pics
Songkran might be a time for splashing fun and festive selfies but young Thais are being warned: post the wrong pic, and you could end up in serious legal trouble. As Thailand gears up for its world-famous water festival, the government has issued a stern warning to young revellers about posting inappropriate content online. From skimpy outfits to alcohol-fuelled parties,…
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SAO secretary in Lop Buri attacked, fears for safety
In Lop Buri province, a 55 year old subdistrict administrative organisation (SAO) secretary was assaulted by two people while returning to his vehicle. The attack left him injured, and he was subsequently treated at Somdet Phra Narai Maharat Hospital. Currently, Panapot is considering relocating his workplace due to fear of further attacks after previously receiving threats urging him to leave…
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Man arrested at Bangkok bus terminal with firearm in backpack
Police arrested a 44 year old man after he was found carrying a firearm and ammunition in his backpack inside the Mo Chit Bus Terminal in Bangkok. The incident unfolded at around 11am, yesterday, April 9, after security staff alerted police to a suspicious individual loitering near a metal detector. Police Colonel Sanong Saengmanee, Superintendent of Bang Sue Police Station, quickly…
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Snake handler rescues Satun family from giant king cobras
A renowned snake handler was called to assist a rubber plantation family in Satun province after discovering a pair of giant king cobras had made a nest and laid 29 eggs near their plantation. The presence of these snakes had halted rubber tapping activities for the family residing in Ban Phang Palm 7, Palm Pattana subdistrict, Manang district, since March.…
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Motorcycle taxi driver dies in Pathum Thani collision
A motorcycle taxi driver tragically died after being thrown 50 metres when losing control and colliding with a 57 year old pedestrian, who was severely injured. The accident occurred at 9.30pm yesterday, April 9, near the U-turn under the Kaew Bridge, Phahonyothin 121, in Pathum Thani province. Police Lieutenant Phairat Wannee from Pratunam Chulalongkorn Police Station received the report of…
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Thailand ramps up Songkran travel safety efforts
As millions prepare to hit the road for Songkran, the Thai government is pulling out all the stops to stop the carnage, launching a national safety centre, mobilising volunteers and rolling out checkpoints across the country. Thailand has officially launched a national road safety centre to monitor and manage traffic accidents from April 11 to 18, overlapping the Songkran holiday.…
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Police sergeant faces charges for fatal drink-driving crash
Police are set to charge a sergeant with three serious offences after he drove a car while allegedly drunk and collided with a motorcycle, resulting in the deaths of a woman and her three year old son, and leaving her husband critically injured. The tragic incident occurred on April 7 at 8.12pm in Ban Kae Ma, Tanyongmat subdistrict, Ra-ngae district,…
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Thailand tops global cheating chart with 51% infidelity rate
Thailand has been named the most adulterous country on the planet, according to a recent report by the financial news platform Insider Monkey. The eyebrow-raising title places Thailand at the top of the global infidelity rankings, with a jaw-dropping cheating rate of 51%. The figures are linked to the longstanding cultural phenomenon of Mia Noi — meaning “little wife” — where men…
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Thai police arrest foreigners with illegal cannabis and ketamine
Thai police successfully apprehended three foreign nationals accused of selling illegal processed cannabis and ketamine, seizing over 300 kilogrammes of evidence. Police Lieutenant General Siam Boonsom, Commander of the Metropolitan Police Bureau, and Police Major General Noppasil Poolasawat, Deputy Commander, yesterday, April 9, instructed Police Colonel Santi Kornkasem and the crime suppression officers to carry out the arrest. The suspects,…
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American man found dead in Phuket gas suicide
Neighbours were left horrified after discovering a 73 year old American man dead in his Phuket home in what appears to be a disturbing suicide involving cooking gas and a plastic bag. Police are investigating the bizarre death of a foreigner found lifeless in his Patong residence yesterday, April 9, with evidence pointing to intentional inhalation of gas as the…
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Thai woman arrested for smuggling 8 million meth pills
A 47 year old Thai woman has been arrested for her alleged involvement in a drug trafficking operation smuggling eight million methamphetamine pills across the Mekong River. Police have gathered substantial evidence, including financial transactions and chat messages, which they believe will solidify the case against her. Yesterday, April 9, Police Major General Songklot Krirkkritya, commander of the Anti-Trafficking in…
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Pattaya unveils smart app for public complaints
Pattaya is embracing digital innovation in a bid to transform how locals report and track city issues. Deputy Mayor Wutthisak Rermkijakarn this week welcomed representatives from CTC Managed Services Co., Ltd., who pitched a cutting-edge online complaint management system aimed at revolutionising the way the city interacts with its residents. The proposed platform will allow citizens to submit complaints online,…
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Thai man fined 10,000 baht for dragging dog with motorcycle
The Sikhio Provincial Court in the Isaan province of Nakhon Ratchasima fined a Thai man 10,000 baht for abusing his dog by dragging the animal along the road with his motorcycle on Tuesday, April 8. The abuse came to light after a female witness, Charuwan Phuangkham, shared the incident on her Facebook account. She revealed that the dog’s owner tied…
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Uttaradit man charged for setting stepfather on fire after dispute
A serious incident occurred in Lap Lae district, Uttaradit province, where a 43 year old man named Kittisak allegedly attempted to kill his stepfather by pouring petrol and setting him on fire. The police found evidence of drug use in Kittisak’s system, leading to charges of attempted murder. At approximately 7.20pm, yesterday, April 9, Police Lieutenant Prasit Sudasud, deputy inspector…
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